The 21st International Inter-Ministerial Conference on Population and Development took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 8 to 9 July 2024. This significant event marked thirty years since the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, where global leaders committed to putting individual rights and dignity at the center of sustainable development. The 1994 conference’s Programme of Action shifted global perspectives on population issues, emphasizing people-centered development.
ICPD30 celebrated three decades of progress and a growing recognition of the critical importance of human-centered sustainable development. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Partners in Population and Development (PPD), which was established with ten countries during ICPD in 1994 and has since expanded to include 27 member countries representing 60% of the global population.
The Dhaka conference, themed “ICPD 30 – Moving Forward” was jointly organized by the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, PPD, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The primary goal was to leverage South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) to bolster support for the ICPD30 agenda, demographic change, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Conference Objectives was to:
Review ICPD Programme of Action: Assess the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action through South-South Cooperation over the past 30 years in PPD member countries.
Explore Demographic Change: Examine the impact of demographic changes on sustainable development in PPD countries.
Commit to Sustainable Development: Reaffirm member countries’ commitment to sustainable development and global resilience, ensuring the needs of present generations are met without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their needs.
Advocate for Future Generations: Promote the highest standard of reproductive health and rights (RHRS) through universal health coverage to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all.
Enhance Partnerships: Strengthen partnerships for capacity building and technology transfer to achieve ICPD30.
Strengthen Cooperation: Enhance cooperation among member states in response to demographic changes and the SDGs.
The conference drew participation from policymakers and leaders from PPD’s 27 member countries, UN agencies, and other global and regional stakeholders involved in population and reproductive health issues. The event provided a high-level forum for dialogue, advocacy, peer review, and shared commitment.
A key outcome of the conference was the adoption of the “Dhaka Declaration” by 27 PPD member countries, UN agencies, and key stakeholders. This declaration contains tangible commitments and actionable recommendations for reinvigorated South-South Cooperation towards achieving ICPD30+ and the SDGs.
The Government of Bangladesh hosted the event, with PPD and UNFPA as co-organizers. PPD is a ministerial-level inter-governmental body composed of 27 member countries representing over 60% of the world’s population. UNFPA, the UN agency for sexual and reproductive health, co-organized the conference.
The Dhaka conference underscored the global community’s dedication to advancing the ICPD agenda and positioned stakeholders to address the post-2030 population and development challenges.